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Elizabeth Crowley, Runner-Up in the Queens Borough President Race, Concedes to Donovan Richards

Council Member Donovan Richards and Elizabeth Crowley (Twitter/ Elizabeth Crowley)

July 21, 2020 By Allie Griffin

Elizabeth Crowley has conceded to Council Member Donovan Richards in the Democratic primary for Queens Borough President.

Crowley, a former council member, came in second behind Richards on June 23 when in-person ballots were tallied on election night.

She took to Twitter this afternoon to congratulate Richards. The official winner in the five-person race has yet to be called. The Board of Elections is still counting an unprecedented number of absentee ballots.

“I wanted you to hear it from me first: while the Board of Elections (BOE) has not officially called the race, and some districts are still getting tallied, the numbers to win are just not with us,” Crowley wrote.

The former Maspeth council member lagged Richards by more than 10,000 votes on election night, according to the unofficial results. She generated about 28 percent of in-person ballots, while Richards garnered 37 percent.

Crowley said she recently called Richards to congratulate him. She added that he has her full support as the Democratic nominee.

I recently called Council Member @DRichards13 to congratulate him and to give him my full support as he becomes the Democratic nominee for Queens borough president. pic.twitter.com/7MNjHlqzQ8

— Elizabeth Crowley (@ElizCrowleyNYC) July 21, 2020

Richards, the Queens County party pick, celebrated his apparent victory on Twitter and said he never imagine he’d make it this far.

“The best part about coming from the bottom is there ain’t no place you can go but up!” Richards wrote. “Thank you all. #SoHumbled #Queens”

My childhood friend Puba was murdered when I was 19 years old. I decided to get involved in my community after his death. Never imagined I would be here. Thank you @NYCCouncil for giving me a chance. Kids like me don’t make it out the hood??????

— Donovan Richards (@DRichards13) July 21, 2020

Richards currently represents south east Queens in the city council, but must step down from the position at the end of 2021 due to term limits.

Richards also beat out Council Member Costa Constantinides, retired NYPD sergeant Anthony Miranda and Flushing businessman Dao Yin. Constantinides and Miranda each took about 15 percent of in-person votes, while Yin earned just under five percent.

Richards will face off with Joann Ariola, the chair of the Queens County Republican Party, in November if the BOE confirms his victory.

Richards is almost certain to win the general election, since the borough leans heavily toward the Democratic party.